See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/259592863

Ultimate lateral resistance of piles in cohesive soil

Article · August 2013

DOI: 10.1179/dfi.2013.005

CITATIONS READS

14 11,294

4 authors:

Lassaad Hazzar Mourad Karray

Hydro-Québec Université de Sherbrooke
29 PUBLICATIONS   205 CITATIONS    190 PUBLICATIONS   740 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Mounir Bouassida Mahmoud N. Hussien

University of Tunis El Manar Université de Sherbrooke
314 PUBLICATIONS   1,648 CITATIONS    113 PUBLICATIONS   531 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

THE PIEZO-ELECRIC RING ACTUATOR TECHNIQUE (P-RAT) View project

Optimisation of algorithm to extraction the tectonic lineament from SRTM View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Mourad Karray on 22 October 2014.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Ultimate Lateral Resistance of Piles in Cohesive Soil
Lassaad Hazzar, University of Sherbrook, Canada; +1 (819) 446 5100; lassaed.hazzar@USherbrooke.ca
Mourad Karray, University of Sherbrook, Canada
Mounir Bouassida, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia
Mahmoued N. Hussien, University of Sherbrook, Canada

The ultimate lateral resistance of piles in cohesive soil is studied using the well-known finite difference code,
FLAC2D. The Modified Cam Clay (MCC) constitutive relation is adopted in the analyses to model the cohesive
soil behavior, whereas the structural pile model with three degree of freedoms, available in FLAC2D library, is
adopted to model the piles. The reliability of Borms's method, still used in the current design practice of piles
under lateral loads, is verified. Comparisons between the ultimate lateral resistances of piles and those
deduced from the graphs proposed by Broms (1964) are presented in graphs. Different factors thought to
affect the lateral resistance of piles in cohesive soil, not adequately consider in Borms's method, such as clay
stiffness, pile length, pile diameter and axial load are parametrically studied. A special concern is devoted to
elucidate the effects of over-consolidation ratio (OCR) on the ultimate lateral resistance of piles in cohesive
soil.

Introduction difficult for practicing engineers to effectively select

the appropriate method when designing laterally
Pile foundations have been used extensively for
loaded piles in cohesive soils. In this paper an
supporting both axial and lateral loads for a variety of
assessment of the most important method, Borms's
structures including heavy buildings, transmission
method, still used in the current design practice of
lines, power stations, and highway structures. In
piles under lateral loads, is done. A two-dimensional
some case, the lateral loads may be relatively light
(2D) finite difference code, FLAC2D (Version 6, Manual
and there is no need to account for in pile design,
[2008]) is used to this end. The Modified Cam Clay
however in other cases, lateral loads govern the
(MCC) constitutive relation is adopted in the
design of piles. A key element in the design of pile
analyses to model the cohesive soil behaviour,
foundation under lateral loads is the determination of
whereas the structural pile model with three degree
the ultimate lateral resistance that can be exerted by
of freedoms, available in FLAC2D elements library, is
the soil against the pile (Murff and Hamilton, 1993).
adopted to model the piles. Different factors thought
For example, the ultimate lateral resistance is
to affect the ultimate lateral resistance of piles in
required for calculating the p-y curves, which are
cohesive soil such as clay stiffness, pile length, pile
used extensively in recent years in piles design.
diameter and axial load are parametrically studied. A
Several methods have been published for predicting
special concern is devoted to elucidate the effects of
the ultimate lateral resistance of piles in cohesive
over-consolidation ratio (OCR) on the ultimate lateral
soils (Brinch Hansen, 1961; Broms, 1964; Poulos
resistance of piles in cohesive soil. The
and Davis, 1980; Fleming el al.,1992; Reese and
investigations were carried out for single piles in a
Van Impe, 2001). However, these methods often
type of clay which has been used by several studies
produce significantly quite different predictions of the
conducted at the University of Sherbrook, Quebec,
ultimate resistance. This makes it difficult for
Canada.
engineers to effectively select the appropriate
The existing method of predicting the ultimate lateral
method when designing laterally loaded piles in
resistance of pile foundations under lateral loads are
cohesive soils.
first reviewed, to be followed by the main part of the
Because the problem of determining the ultimate
study with respect to the effects of clay stiffness, pile
resistance of a laterally loaded pile is three
length, pile diameter, axial loads and OCR on the
dimensional (3D) and nonlinear problem, finding a
lateral ultimate resistance of pile foundations. The
rigorous solution is very unlikely. Thus existing
primary findings from this study were summarized as
solutions for the ultimate lateral resistance of the pile
conclusions.
are either of a semi empirical nature or employ
approximate analysis which often involves many
simplifications (Jamiolkowski and Garassino, 1977). Existing Methods of Prediction of Ultimate
These approximations may account for the Lateral Resistance
significantly different ultimate resistance values The existing methods used to estimate the lateral
obtained from the different methods. This makes it resistance of vertical piles can be divided into two
main categories: methods of ultimate lateral
resistance and methods of acceptable deflection at a
given working lateral load. First investigation by
Terzaghi (1955) consisted in the use of variable
passive earth coefficient for modeling the lateral
reaction of soil as a function of its internal angle of
friction. In 1960’s, ultimate lateral resistance
approaches for rigid piles by assuming that the full
passive Rankine earth pressures were mobilized.
Adopting the method proposed by Brinch Hansen
(1961), the pile is assumed to rotate with respect to
centre of rotation, the ultimate lateral load is then
estimated and the shearing force and bending
moment diagrams are drawn. Broms (1964)
presented a method to determine the ultimate lateral
load in cohesive and cohesionless soils. Kasch
(1977), state that using Rankine’s passive states will
result in a very conservative solution. Reese (1977)
developed a computer program that widely used to
predict the performance of piles subjected to lateral
loading. This program solves differential equation
derived on the assumption that the pile is linearly
elastic and that the soil reaction may be represented
as a line load. In recent years, extensive research
and developments have been undertaken to predict
theoretically the behavior of laterally loaded piles in
clayey soils (Poulos and Davis, 1980; Brown and
Shie, 1991; Fleming el al.,1992; Liang, 1998; Reese
and Van Impe, 2001).
[Fig. 1] Ultimate Lateral Ultimate Load of Piles in Cohesive Soils; (a) Short Pile, (b) Long Pile (Broms, 1964)
In fact, Broms method calls for some comments
that be discussed later. Broms’ contribution does
not consider the effect of axial loading on lateral
bearing capacity of piles.
In this study, the finite differences method is
implemented to examine how the lateral load
capacity of the pile is influenced by varying the
length of the pile, its diameter and by considering
Broms's method is still used in the current design
practice of piles under lateral loads to calculate the
lateral bearing capacity of piles because of its
simplicity. This method will be briefly reviewed in the
next paragraph.
Broms’ method (1964), proposed for the prediction of
lateral resistance of vertical piles, is similar to that
developed by Hansen without consideration of c-φ’
soil parameters. In fact, Broms’s method is based on
earth pressure for calculation of lateral resistance of
vertical piles, but quite simple assumptions are made
for the distribution of ultimate soil resistance over the
length of the pile. These method studies two types of
piles, a short-rigid and long-flexible, embedded in
mono layered half space. Broms (1969) elaborated
charts for determination of the ultimate lateral load
for each class as illustrated in Figures 1(a) and 1(b)
respectively (FHWA, 1997). Figures 1(a) and 1(b)
show also that the ultimate lateral resistance of the
piles is affected by pile head conditions. The ultimate
lateral resistance of fixed head pile is higher than that
of free-head conditions for both cases of short and
long piles.
In this method, the load-deflection relationships of
laterally loaded piles driven into cohesive soils are
similar to the stress-strain relationships as obtained
from consolidated-undrained tests (Broms, 1964).
the vertical component of load as well. The
numerical modeling also aims to verify whether the
OCR for clayey soil has a significant effect when
determining the lateral capacity at failure of the
loaded pile. Note that the OCR has not been taken
into consideration in several previous
investigations made about the ultimate lateral
capacity of piles. Elsewhere, as for Broms’ method,
the vertical load component was not considered in
prior analyses, this study aims to clarify how the
behavior of laterally loaded pile will be when
subjected to additional vertical load.
Therefore, the main objective is to draw design
charts making possible the design of laterally
loaded pile in cohesive soils and to compare the
numerical predictions by FLAC2D (Fast Lagrangian
Analyses of Continua in 2D) program with the
Broms’ solution.
Studied Model
Geometry of the model
The two-dimensional finite differences code
FLAC2D has been used to model single piles
embedded in a clay layer in non-symmetric loading
plane strain condition. This pile is modeled by
means of a plate element which is discretized as a
set of beam elements having three degrees of
freedom: horizontal and vertical displacements
and a rotation with respect to perpendicular axis of
the plan in Figure 2.
Material proprieties
The soil used is soft post-glacial clay, of marine
origin, sampled from the site of Grande Baleine
River (Demers, 1980). Two specimens (COE-01
and COE-02) have been tested to identify the
geotechnical characteristics of this clay. Table1
summarizes the recorded geotechnical
characteristics, including results of the oedometer
and undrained shear strength, of tested clays.

[Fig. 2] Numerical plane strain model

[Table 1] Geotechnical properties of clay studied

Test n° Depth Proportion Water Initial Compression Swelling Total Undrained

(m) < 2 μm content, ω void index, Cc (-) coefficient unit shear
(%) (%) ratio, e0 Cs (-) weight: γ strength,
(-) (kN/m³) cu (kPa)
COE-01 4.8- 6.3 59.0 53.8 - 63.8 1.59 0.90 0.08 16.7 16.0-39.0
COE-02 10.7 - 45.0 35.2 - 51.7 1.57 0.88 0.06 16.7 43.0- 62.0
0.9

V
υ= (1)
Figure 3 presents the oedometer curve in the Vs
semi-logarithmic plot (υ, ln p) where p, is the effective Vs is the volume of solid particles, assumed
pressure and, υ, the specific volume of specimen incompressible, contained in a volume, V, of soil
defined as: specimen.
 [Fig. 3] Oedometer curves of tested clays (Demers, 1980)
The Modified Cam-Clay Model (CCM) was
adopted as quite appropriate, particularly for
materials which behaviour is influenced by volume
variation. In fact, the CCM may be used to
represent materials when the influence of volume
change on bulk property and resistance up to
failure should be taken into consideration, as for
soft clays.
In this study, eight material parameters were
required to specify the soil model, including either
the elastic bulk modulus “K” or elastic shear
modulus “G”, mass density “ρ”, Poisson’s ratio “μ”,
slope of the normal consolidation line “λ”, slope of
the elastic swelling line“κ”, frictional constant “M”,
pressure of reference “p1” and the specific volume
at pressure of reference, p1, on the normal
consolidation line “υλ”.
The material properties adopted in the analyses
for soft, medium and hard clay (referred to
proprieties of specimens) are presented in Table
2.
Pile properties
The pile is modeled as a structure element made
up of concrete material characterised by a
Poisson’s ratio of 0.2, a unit mass of 2500 kg/m3,
and Young’s modulus equals to 25 GPa.
The length D and the diameter b of pile are
variable in order to investigate their influences on
the lateral bearing capacity of pile. The ultimate
lateral load of pile, Qu, is represented by the
dimensionless factor defined by “Qu/cu b2” for
which the influence of several parameters will be
studied.
Prediction of lateral resistance of pile
The adopted modeling of beam element subjected
to the lateral action/reaction of soil the behavior of
pile is derived from the well-known equilibrium
equation of beams:
d4 y
EI + p(x) = 0 (2)
dx 4
Figure 4 details how the horizontal resistance of
soil p(x) can be determined by adopting the spring
equation:
p(x) = k(x) ⋅ y (3)
- k(x) : modulus of the horizontal reaction of soil
(kN/m²);
- y :horizontal displacement of the pile at depth x
(m);
- E : young’s Modulus of the pile (kPa);
- I : moment of Inertia of the cross section at x (m4);
- x: current depth along the length of pile.
[Table 2] Soft clay parameters according to CCM
3
Soil rigidity ρ (kg/m ) G (MPa) K (MPa) μ (-) λ (-) κ (-) M (-) p1 υλ (-)
(kPa)
Soft clay 1670 4.80 12.48 0.33 0.262 0.065 0.77 1 5.3
cu = 16.0 kPa
medium clay 1670 11.70 30.42 0.33 0.262 0.065 0.77 1 5.3
cu = 39.0 kPa
Stiff clay 1670 19.20 49.92 0.33 0.257 0.064 0.77 1 5.25
cu = 64.0 kPa

Effect of Soil Stiffness on Lateral

Resistance
The undrained shear strength has been varied in
order to study the effect of the stiffness of clayey
soils on the ultimate lateral resistance of pile.
For capped plasticity model, like the modified cam
clay here investigated, the undrained shear
strength, cu, is uniquely related to the specific
volume, υ, by the equation [2]:
Mp1 ⎛Γ−υ⎞
cu = exp ⎜ ⎟ (4)
2 ⎝ λ ⎠

Where the specific volume, Γ, at the critical state

line for p=p1, is given by:
Γ = υλ − ( λ − κ ) × ln ( 2 ) (5)

The numerical analysis has been conducted by

[Fig. 4] Model of soil reaction by elastic springs
Introducing the bending moment, M (kN.m) and
the shear force, V (kN) at depth x within a current
cross section of pile, the equilibrium equation
provides relationships between the bending
moment and shear force, and, then as illustrated in
Figure 6, the lateral resistance of soil is derived
from Eq. (3). The complete solution is obtained
once the horizontal deflection of pile is determined.
Therefore, we concluded that the lateral soil
reaction p (x) can be determined as follows (see
figure 5):
[Fig. 5] Shear and lateral load
For a pile of length D = 8.0 m and diameter b = 0.8
m. Figure 6 displays the diagrams for profiles of
pile behavior under a lateral load equal at 250 kN.
adopting zero free vertical distance from the head
of pile to the soil surface (ec=0), and varied ratio
D/b, D is the embedment of pile in the clay layer.
The comparison between numerical predictions
and Broms’ results (Figure 7). For this case, it can
be seen that Broms’ assumption greatly
overestimates the ultimate lateral resistance of pile
in purely cohesive clays that was assumed equals
to 9bcu, but numerical predictions show that the
soil will collapse much earlier.
Effects of Vertical Load and Pile
Diameter on its Lateral Resistance
The influence on pile diameter has been also
investigated. Figure 8 shows that the variation of
pile diameter, especially when D/b is less than 14,
does not significantly affect the normalized
ultimate lateral bearing capacity of pile.
The influence of vertical load on the ultimate lateral
bearing capacity is studied. At this stage, first, the
ultimate vertical bearing capacity is obtained, and
then by introducing a factor of safety equals to 3
the allowable vertical load is deduced. The
ultimate lateral bearing capacity of pile is finally
determined. Results of Figure 9 show up that the
ultimate lateral resistance will decrease when the
vertical load component increases. Therefore a
special care should be accorded when it comes to
the prediction of the ultimate lateral resistance of a
pile.

[Fig. 6] Behaviour of pile under lateral load

[Fig. 7] Effect of soil stiffness on lateral load capacity compared with Broms method

[Fig. 8] Effect of diameter on lateral bearing of capacity pile

 [Fig. 9] Effect of vertical load, ec/b = 0

Figure 10 shows the effect of OCR on the ultimate

Effect of Over-Consolidation Ratio
The over-consolidation ratio, OCR, is defined as
the ratio of initial pre-consolidation pressure to the
in situ overburden effective stress. The influence
of OCR on the behaviour of assumed Cam-clay
soil is studied numerically.
lateral capacity of pile. When the OCR increases
from 2 to 10, the increase in the ultimate lateral
load is of about 20%. Thus, it is concluded that the
role of pre-consolidation pressure cannot be
neglected for the design of piles.

[Fig. 10] The ultimate lateral capacity vs OCR

piles of different diameter, the failure criteria

Conclusion suggested by Broms has adopted. From obtained
results the conclusions below are drawn.
The main objective of this study is to investigate
- The soil collapse is expected earlier than that
numerically ultimate resistance of single pile in
predicted by Broms method that is
cohesive soil subjected to lateral loading. For this
overestimated.
work, the two-dimensional (2D) finite difference code
- The effect of pile diameter was studied; it
FLAC2D was employed to simulate a single pile
would not have significant effect on
embedded in a clay layer that has known many
normalized ultimate bearing capacity.
investigations. The study primarily aimed at
- The effect of pile stiffness, the ultimate lateral
presentation of the design which cover a variety of
 resistance of pile increase and the curves go
toward Broms curve.
- Vertical allowable load applied on pile and
presented more general graphs. It is shown
that the axial load increase ultimate bearing
capacity and a special care to choose the
ultimate bearing capacity of pile should be
taken.
- The CCM is a suitable model to describe
sensitive clays, and it is necessary to take
care of the value of OCR or pre-consolidation
pressure in the design of piles embedded in
cohesive soils.
12. Murff, J.D. and Hamilton, J.M. P-Ultimate for
Undrained Analysis of Laterally Loaded Piles. J.
Geotech. Eng., Vol. 119(1), 1993, pp. 91-107.
13. Poulos, H.G. and Davis, E.H. Pile Foundation
Analysis and Design. Wiley, New York, 1980.
14. Reese, L.C. Laterally Loaded Piles: Program
Documentation. J. Geotech. Eng. Div., ASCE.
Vol. 103(GT4), 1977, pp. 287-305.
15. Reese, L.C. and Van Impe, W.F. Single Piles and
Piles Groups Under Lateral Loading. A. A.,
Balkema, Rotterdam, 2001.
16. Terzaghi, K. Evaluation of Coefficients of
Subgrade Reaction. Géotechnique. Vol. 5(4),
1955, pp. 297-236.

References
1. Broms, B.B. Lateral Resistance of Piles in
Cohesive Soils. J. Soil Mech. Found. Div., Vol.
90(2), 1964, pp. 27-64.
2. Britto, A. M., and Gunn, M.J. Critical State Soil
Mechanics via Finite Elements. Chichester U.K.:
Ellis Horwood Ltd, 1987.
3. Brinch Hansen, J. The Ultimate Resistance of
Rigid Piles Against Transversal Forces.
Geoteknish Institute Bulletin No.12, Danish
Geotechnical Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark,
1961, pp. 5-9.
4. Brown, D.A., and Shie, C.F. Evaluation of the
Relative Influence of Major Parameters for
Laterally Loaded Piles in three Dimensional
Finite Element Models. Civil Engineering
Department, Harbert Engineering Center.
Auburn University, Alabama, 1991.
5. Demers, B. Résistance Cyclique d’une Argile
Extra-Sensible. Thesis M.Sc., University of
Sherbrook, Quebec, Canada, 1980.
6. Fleming, W.G.K., Weltman, A.J., Randolph, M.F.
and Elson, W.K. Piling Engineering. Surrey
University Press, London, 1992.
7. Federal Highway Administration. Design and
Construction of Driven Pile Foundations.
Workshop Manual – Vol. I, 1997, Publication
n°13. Washington, D.C.
8. Itasca Consulting Group (2008). FLAC: Fast
Lagrangian Analysis of Continua User’s and
Theory Manuals, Version 6.0, Minneapolis, USA.
9. Jamiolkowski, M. and Garassino, A. Soil
Modulus for Laterally Loaded Piles. Proc., 9th Int.
Conf. Soil Mechanics Foundation Engineering.
Tokyo, 1977, pp. 87-92.
10. Kasch, V.R. Lateral Load test of Drilled Shaft in
Clay. Research report 211-1. Texas
Transportation Institute, Texas A&M University,
1977.
11. Liang, R. Development and Implementation of
New Driven Piles Technology. The Ohio
Department of Transportation and the US
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway
Administration, 1998.

View publication stats